Progress of renal osteodystrophy during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

At present, only a few data are available on the effects of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on renal osteodystrophy. Twelve patients on CAPD were studied for one year, in order to evaluate the progress of renal osteodystrophy. Our results showed a downward trend of plasma calcium, a good control of phosphatemia, a significant increase of alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone. We also found an important decrease of plasma vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D3 and 1,25 (OH)2D3) and bone mineral content. Bone biopsy showed a general worsening of both secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteomalacia. Thus, we can conclude that CAPD alone is not able to control the evolution of renal osteodystrophy.